Palawan – World’s Most Beautiful Island

Condé Nast and in-the-know world travelers agree.  This place is stunning…!  Enough so to rate it the most beautiful island in the world…!

Never heard of Palawan?  I’m not surprised.  When I ask someone where their idyll tropical getaway would be, I have never heard a response suggesting the Philippines, let alone Palawan.  That may soon change.

Officially an island Province, Palawan lies west of the main Philippine island group and just north of Malaysia, and forms the border between the Sulu Sea and the South China Sea.  (thus ends today’s geography lesson.)

Natural beauty is everywhere, from the craggy limestone cliffs dotted with emerald green plant life in the Coron Reefs area to the crystalline blue waters as far as the eye can see.  Look under the surface and you will find world-class diving, teeming with marine life and even shipwreck sites from WWII and beyond.  Forbes rates the region among the 10 best scuba sites in the world. 

Another claim to fame is one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River.  One of the longest underground rivers in the world, there are over 5 miles of waterways, much of which can be viewed on guided boat tours. 

For accommodations, several worthy resorts are in the area, but selections will vary depending on the goal of your trip.  For quiet luxury I recommend Amanpulo, northwest of Palawan island.  I also like the El Nido Resorts, a group of four eco-friendly properties on different islands in the area. 

I suggest you put Palawan on your short list for vacation destinations if you’re the tropical getaway type.  Natural beauty, off-the-grid relaxation, and a bit of adventure thrown in for good measure.  I think you’ll love this place…!